Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

MSNBC’s Joy Reid accused of Islamophobia for comparing the ‘way Muslims act’ to radicalized Trump supporters 'That’s how we talk about the way Muslims act,' she said. 'When you see what Donald Trump is doing, is that any different from what we describe as radicalizing people?'

(Daily Beast) MSNBC host Joy Reid on Tuesday faced accusations of Islamophobia over remarks she made during her Monday evening broadcast comparing radicalized Trump supporters to “the way Muslims act.” Reid, who recently took over the 7 p.m. weeknight slot vacated by […]

Children & Teens

‘Honor killings’ a false narrative in Lewisville teens’ deaths, Muslim community says After Amina and Sarah Said were found shot to death in 2008, many people were quick to blame their father’s Islamic faith.

(Dallas Morning News) Alia Salem remembers how horrific the killings were, and the photos and videos on the TV news of the two Lewisville girls who died. She also remembers how Muslims in North Texas worked to fight rumors and Islamophobic stereotypes, […]

Crime

Joe Biden’s plan for Arab Americans: Six takeaways The Biden campaign released a platform addressing domestic and foreign policy issues that affect Arab Americans; here's what's in it

(Middle East Eye) US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has released a comprehensive platform outlining his plans for the Arab-American community, emphasising commitment to civil rights and prosperity at home as well as a more balanced foreign policy in the Middle East. […]

Children & Teens

Yaser Said, accused of killing his two daughters in 2008, was nearly caught in 2017, authorities say The FBI believes Said narrowly escaped after a maintenance worker reported seeing him at a Bedford apartment leased to the fugitive’s son, documents show.

(Dallas Morning News) Three years ago, authorities nearly captured Yaser Abdel Said — who spent more than a decade evading law enforcement on suspicion of killing his two teenage daughters in Irving — when a maintenance worker spotted him in a North […]

Government & Politics

Muslim-American groups mobilise to get voters registered for election day Organisations are aiming to register Muslim voters ahead of November's presidential election

(Middle East Eye) Muslim-American activists are rallying across the country on Friday in an attempt to ensure every eligible voter from the faith group is registered for November’s presidential election. MPower Change, which bills itself as the biggest Muslim digital advocacy organisation in the […]

Children & Teens

Man accused of killing 2 teen daughters in 2008 has been captured, Irving police and FBI announce Yaser Abdel Said, 63, had been on the bureau’s Ten Most Wanted list since 2014 before he was tracked down in the Denton County city of Justin; his son and brother were arrested in Euless on suspicion of harboring him.

(Dallas Morning News) Yaser Abdel Said, a 63-year-old man who is suspected of killing his two teenage daughters in Irving more than a decade ago, has been captured, authorities announced Wednesday. Said had been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list […]

Government & Politics

Muslim Americans care more about civil rights than foreign policy, survey claims Health care and education reforms are also more of a priority for Muslim Americans than foreign policy, survey of 1,500 Muslims claims to show

(Middle East Eye) Muslim Americans care more about civil rights, health care and education reforms than foreign policy, an online survey by a coalition of national Muslim organisations has claimed. According to the survey, which was held over a period of five months and gathered […]

News: North America

Prominent American activist resigns from UAE peace forum over Israel statement Aisha al-Adawiya resigns from UAE's Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies citing a 'breach of trust'

(Middle East Eye) A prominent Muslim American activist resigned from a UAE-based forum “promoting peace” and accused the organisation of a “breach of trust” after it issued a statement with her name attached to it endorsing normalisation with Israel. Aisha al-Adawiya, the founder of the […]

Government & Politics

Biden aides apologise privately over attack on Linda Sarsour In a private call with community activists, a recording of which was obtained by MEE, Biden campaign officials said statements against Sarsour were an 'egregious misstep'

(Middle East Eye) Top aides to presidential candidate Joe Biden have apologised to Arab and Muslim Democrats over an attack on Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour by the campaign, in an effort to quell anger over the controversy. In a private call with […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

After an inmate reported discrimination, the Waukesha County Jail made religious texts and halal foods more accessible, ACLU says

(Journal Sentinel) The Waukesha County Jail has made religious texts more accessible, and contracted a new food service to meet constitutional standards that protect religious freedom, following a Muslim inmate’s report of religious discrimination, said an attorney with the American Civil Liberties […]

Clerics & Preachers

Influential Muslim scholar Hamza Yusuf criticised for backing UAE-Israel deal Academics say Yusuf's endorsement of the Israel-UAE deal is part of a long history of condoning the actions of the UAE government

(Middle East Eye) Hamza Yusuf, a prominent Muslim scholar based in the United States, is facing a deluge of criticism after publicly endorsing the United Arab Emirates’ decision to normalise ties with Israel — a move which has in large part been condemned […]

Government & Politics

Linda Sarsour says Biden campaign’s ‘unprovoked’ attack hurts Democrats Biden campaign says it is committed to engaging with Muslims, but non-apology has done little to quell anger from Sarsour's supporters

(Middle East Eye) There is a realistic chance that November’s presidential election may be decided by who wins Michigan. In 2016, President Donald Trump won the Midwestern state by a mere 10,000 votes. Michigan also happens to be home to large Arab […]

Government & Politics

Biden campaign’s attacks on Linda Sarsour alienate Muslim voters, activists say Muslim advocates say the campaign's statement against Sarsour shows disregard for Muslim voters who may play key role in November's election

(Middle East Eye) Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour offered advice to the Democrats on Tuesday on how to engage Muslim voters: ensure representation, treat Muslims as a decisive voting bloc in swing states and reach out to them in their communities. “The Democratic […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

‘Slap in the face’: Muslims decry Bloomberg’s upcoming appearance at Democratic convention As New York mayor, Bloomberg oversaw a surveillance programme that targeted Muslim community gatherings, businesses and student groups

(Middle East Eye) Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg oversaw a surveillance programme targeting the city’s Muslim community for almost a decade. This week he will be speaking at the Democratic national convention — an event that has so far focused on […]

Clerics & Preachers

Democratic National Convention hosts imam from Islamic extremist institution Noman Hussain, imam of ISM Brookfield in Wisconsin, was one of the religious leaders who took part in the 'Interfaith Welcome Service.'

(JNS) The Democratic National Convention hosted an imam from an Islamic extremist institution on Sunday. Noman Hussain, imam of ISM Brookfield in Wisconsin, was one of the religious leaders who took part in the convention’s “Interfaith Welcome Service.” Hussain is a scholar […]

Legal

NY man sentenced to 15 years for attempting to support Pakistani terror group Jesus Encarnacion pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to the terror group Lashkar e-Tayyiba back in January.

(Just the News) A New York man was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to attempting to provide material support to a global terror group based in Pakistan. “Jesus Encarnacion plotted to travel abroad, […]

Government & Politics

Canada launches Lebanon fund that includes group with alleged Hamas ties The charity accused of Hamas ties, Islamic Relief, is among a dozen ... charities announced as partners in the Canadian government's Lebanon Matching Fund.

(Jerusalem Post) The government of Canada has launched a new aid fund consisting of numerous partner charities aimed at relieving suffering in Beirut, Lebanon, following an explosion that has left thousands of people homeless and over 150 dead, which includes a charity […]

Demonstrations

Terror-tied BDS group to hold ‘Days of Resistance’ in major cities worldwide 'It is inconceivable that a terrorist group like the PFLP is set to receive a warm welcome under the pretense of a civil organization,' said Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen.

(JNS) The Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, a BDS-promoting NGO with ties to the U.S.-designated terrorist group the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), will be leading “Days of Resistance” in major cities worldwide throughout this weekend. The protests are […]

Academics & Education

Commission rules in favour of 2 Muslim students who wanted prayer at private school Calgary's Webber Academy was fined $26,000 in 2015, Court of Appeal ordered new hearing

(CBC) The Alberta Human Rights Commission tribunal has again ruled in favour of two Muslim students who sought prayer space at a non-denominational private school in Calgary. The tribunal had previously found in 2015 that Webber Academy in southwest Calgary unlawfully discriminated against the […]